There is serious concern regarding China’s land reclamation of the South China Sea. The reason is that China is closing itself off and creating a “great wall of sand.” It is forming many different artificial landmasses to connect the different islands, which is creating a lot of concerns for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
China is currently building this landmass on top of live corals and is paving them with concrete as part of its land reclamation project.
Usually China’s South China Sea is known for its beauty and the amazing variety of wildlife that can be found on the islands. However, with this new undertaking, China is doing a lot more harm than good.
The various islands will have a hard time when it comes to their wildlife surviving if this continues. Not only will that, but the general construction of all of this will cause issues for the ocean life below as well.
The different countries which also have claims over land in the South China Sea are expressing their concern as well. The Philippines for one, has claim to many of the islands in this area. There are many who believe that China will try and expand its military force by using these islands as military facilities through its land reclamation process, and this could lead to a massive amount of chaos to break out in the region.
The world watches and waits to see what China’s intentions are. If China still wants to work with the surrounding countries and make this a peaceful venture, it will help to maintain the peace. However, if China is building all of this with confrontation in mind, there will certainly be backlash from all over the world.
The reason that the U.S. is currently involved in making sure that there is a peaceful resolve in this is more for the sake of world trade than it is for a military concern. However, the U.S. is not taking any chances and has their Pacific Fleet stationed right there should a situation arise. The plan is by 2020 to have moved approximately 60 percent of the Navy’s overall forces to the Pacific Fleet. This will help ensure that the peace between China and other countries is maintained and that nothing severe happens.
The purpose for having all of the men of the Pacific Fleet stationed here in the South China Sea is to help provide a sense of security and safety for all of the inhabitants of the islands as well as neighboring countries. With the help from the U.S. and the rest of the world keeping a watchful eye over China’s every move with this land reclamation process, the chances of an actual military situation arising are definitely lessened. China is definitely knowledgeable of what the consequences would be should it break out and end up declaring war on any of the surrounding nations. The hope is that no dangerous situation which would require soldiers of any kind will break out in the region anytime in the near future.
